Wednesday, October 06, 2010

India vs Australia: 1st Test: India marks out of 10

The debate over whether India are deserving of their status as the number one test side in the World will likely roll on until we see how they fare on forthcoming tours of South Africa and England. But one thing is for sure - they don't seem to know when they are beaten, which is surely a trait of all the best teams in any sport.

In what was one of the most memorable finishes to a test match in an eon, VVS Laxman again showed that he is the man to see his side over the line in a run chase and Ishant Sharma deserves equal credit for the sterling support he provided in their match-winning ninth wicket partnership.

But how did they and the other Indian players rate over the five days in Mohali?

Gautam Gambhir - 4: Once again failed to impress against top-level fast bowling as he did in the mini-series against South Africa. That said, he did get an absolutely shocking decision in the second innings.

Virender Sehwag - 6: Typical run-a-ball fifty in the first innings before he paid the price for being too circumspect in the second, guiding a ball to gully that he would have normally brutally upper cut for four.

Rahul Dravid - 7: Seemed set for a big score in the first innings before losing concentration and then made another mistake in the second. Are there a few missing bricks from 'The Wall'?

Sachin Tendulkar - 8: Looked to be in complete control before inexplicably losing his wicket to North to continue the strange pattern throughout his career of getting out to second rate spinners. Poor shot to lose his wicket at a crucial time on the final morning.

Suresh Raina - 7: Rode his luck in the first innings and only just missed out on his second hundred in only his third test. Then his old demons against the short ball returned in the second indicating that he could be set to struggle in tests outside the subcontinent.

VVS Laxman - 9: Showed nerves of steel for the second test in succession to see India over the line and to continue his impressive record against Australia. His bad back didn't seem to hinder him on the final day. Marvellous performance and a marvellous batsman.

MS Dhoni - 5: His ridiculous run out looked to have sounded the death knell for India's run chase, so will be indebted to Laxman and Sharma. Continues to show good leadership though as India's great resilience suggests.

Harbhajan Singh - 7: - Another five wickets against his favourite opponents and he was certainly miserly throughout. Disappointing with the bat.

Zaheer Khan - 9: Eight wickets and thoroughly deserved for a consistently threatening and fiery performance with the ball. Found impressive reverse swing and troubled all of the Australian batsmen. Gets an extra mark for winding up Punter.

Ishant Sharma - 7: A real liquorice allsorts of a performance from Ishant. Woeful with the ball in the first innings, he turned the match for the first time with his three quick wickets in the second to precipitate Australia's collapse. Then he turned the game along with Laxman for a second decisive time with his brave test best knock in the run chase.

Pragyan Ojha - 6: Bowled tidily enough, but three wickets from 68 overs in the match is not a great return. Showed bottle to see India over the line.

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